Three members of the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors have failed to meet their most fundamental responsibility - to do no harm. They voted against the community by a last minute cut in the budget that resulted in gross underfunding of the schools. For the cost of a monthly ice cream cone for each family in the county, the Board of Supervisors have turned their backs on the people of this community. Our children do not deserve this treatment and our county deserves better. What a shame.

You're blaming the BOS? Try the following...1. The school board and their incompetents. "Suddenly" trailers need to be removed and they did not allocate for that? A miscalculation in the cost of heating? This article is rife with shoddy management.2. The previous BOS. Allowing the new HS to be built and refusing to get a votes' referendum on the funding...misrepresenting property assessments. Major "errors" due to either stupidity or corruption.3. Did Supt. Keller not look at the budget before she was hired? She knew what was coming down the pike. I guarantee you that five retired private-sector executives could be found living in this county who could find 5 administration positions at the district level and 5 at the school level to cut.

At this point, who could even believe the figures cited in the press release? All we have heard about are errors in calculations, mistakes in insurance plan costs, etc.

Cronies need to go in this administration. Bring in new blood and clean up the fiscal mess. I assure you, in contrast to Breslauer's lament, "the little ones" will learn just fine.

Where is Obama help for schools and students now. He is so stuck on education and health why don't his office make sure there is a program for help on this kind of problems. This is just the beganing of closeing and lay offs and they say we are back and going forwards with his leading the way. It's funny how the people making the BIG BUCKS will not lose there jobs but the CHILDREN has got to pay for there gread. COME ON OBAMA AND BAIL THEM OUT like you did in the past. Sorry for those kids who has got to walk to school but what was in the past is coming back around now. GREAT PLANING but look what county this is. Don't hate, just saying. The parents can rest easy now knowing there kid has got to walk to school on there own now. NOT.

The county school system is going through exactly what many Americans have gone through, only on a larger scale. They live beyond their means and think they will "figure things out as they go." Seeing the opportunity to build the spectacular (expensive) new school but don't do proper planning to understand the actual cost to maintain it. I really loved the quote by the financial mind where he said they inadequately estimated the cost to heat the building! Just like the person who buys a Ferrari or BMW but don't have enough $$ to fill the tank to pay for regular maintenance.

How about letting the Teachers and County Employees pay for their own Insurance or at least a portion of it. Why should the Tax Payers be paying for their family coverage? As a rule most Businesses pay for a portion of employees only insurance. Think of the money saved, if the county followed these guidelines.

This is a clear example of malfeasance. Simple as that. While much of the blame seems to be heaped upon the BOS, as a former school administrator, I can assure you that the Director of Operations, Budget Director, Superintendent, and the entire School Board are culpable in this. Each has a finger in this pie and each has breached their fiduciary responsibilities.

-The job of Operations Director was established for the purpose/s of directing and planning of construction and major renovationprojects; providing information and serving as a resource to others; achieving defined objectives by planning, evaluating,developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established guidelines...-Monitors budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances and related financial activities for the purpose of ensuring that allocationsare accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.-Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to performfunctions.-Plans for and inspects new construction, repair work and related projects for the purpose of ensuring that jobs are completedefficiently; specifications are within regulatory requirements; and approving inspection reports and payment requests.-Presents information for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to establishedinternal controls.

Someone please tell me who holds this job in Fluvanna, and why the person is still employed.

Someone please tell me who holds this job in Fluvanna, and why the person is still employed.

The same guy who was interviewed for part of this story and said they inadequately estimated the cost to maintain the new school and other areas. If he can't forecast properly then he should get the pink slip.

Don't you also find it odd that the district Staff Directory "is in process of being updated." Trying to avoid the on slaught of emails to the admin. Dr. Keller's is the only one available but she is not full to blame. She has a staff of so called "Professionals" to do all the fine detailing and they have failed miserably on this

Where is Obama help for schools and students now. He is so stuck on education and health why don't his office make sure there is a program for help on this kind of problems. This is just the beganing of closeing and lay offs and they say we are back and going forwards with his leading the way. It's funny how the people making the BIG BUCKS will not lose there jobs but the CHILDREN has got to pay for there gread. COME ON OBAMA AND BAIL THEM OUT like you did in the past. Sorry for those kids who has got to walk to school but what was in the past is coming back around now. GREAT PLANING but look what county this is. Don't hate, just saying. The parents can rest easy now knowing there kid has got to walk to school on there own now. NOT.

"why don't his office make sure there is a program for help on this kind of problems." So you want MORE government involvement? The trend is LESS government involvement, more personal responsibility, solve your own problems, neighbors get together and help each other, ask churches for help. No one wants the government to interfere until there comes a time when you can't do it yourself. Can't have it both ways.

How about letting the Teachers and County Employees pay for their own Insurance or at least a portion of it. Why should the Tax Payers be paying for their family coverage? As a rule most Businesses pay for a portion of employees only insurance. Think of the money saved, if the county followed these guidelines.

We do pay for our inadequate health insurance for family members. We also have furlough days this year (look up the definition of furlough) and may be looking at additional ones. It is always easy to judge others or situations when you dont know the facts....

Well, vote for a republican that won't raise taxes for revenue to pay for stuff, then federal and state assistance (school funding) has to be cut. Fluvanna voted him in high numbers and now complains about the issues he forces them to fix. I can't believe I came from there, what dumb people. Well, the way they may cut funding to education, there will be another generation of dummies coming. Can you say "DER" billy? Good job you pass.

<quoted text>We do pay for our inadequate health insurance for family members. We also have furlough days this year (look up the definition of furlough) and may be looking at additional ones. It is always easy to judge others or situations when you dont know the facts....

Most of the general public is not aware of the furloughs. If prosective teachers are reading these blogs, Fluvanna is going to have a tough time recruiting/keeping teachers.

If school staff is paid from taxpayer's dollars, should the salary breakdown per school employee be made public? If it is available, would someone please direct me as to where it can be viewed?

Yeah, so we can aim arrows at those super rich policeman, teachers and fireman! The FOX news channel talks about that stuff to make you mad at unions. Virginia has no unions and pays them state issued squat. Trust me, for what they have to put up with, our snotty nosed, undiciplined needy kids, we should pay them more.

Is it legal for me to know your salary as a randem person? No, that would be illegal for your employer to just streamline that information around town. If you want to be raking in the dough, I certainly wouldn't pick one of those proffesions.

Where is Morley Shafer and the 60 Minutes staff when you need them? This "story" lacks so much meat it's pathetic. Any reporter worth his/her salt would submit a request for all records related to this budget. We should be able to see a line item budget, as well as a listing of of ALL employees not standing in front of a classroom on a daily basis, including their salaries. I want to see details, not poorly spun tidbits served up by a marginally competent school division employee!

The should also consider getting rid of the Finance Director. He was hired two years ago for 65k-93k. before that, we didn't have one. This budget mishandling does not make me feel confident about his skills. Clearly, the central office can't add, can plan ahead,and can't make competent adjustments to their budget in 6months. The "vote" which cut the school budget by a couple od percent was May 2nd. soon it will be November 2nd. six months, and the schools still can't get their finances in order!

The should also consider getting rid of the Finance Director. He was hired two years ago for 65k-93k. before that, we didn't have one. This budget mishandling does not make me feel confident about his skills. Clearly, the central office can't add, can plan ahead,and can't make competent adjustments to their budget in 6months. The "vote" which cut the school budget by a couple od percent was May 2nd. soon it will be November 2nd. six months, and the schools still can't get their finances in order!

Sounds like that would be the best idea. The schoolboard should seriously consider it! When someone screws up the finances that badley, that they are actually thinking about four day school days, someone at the top should pay because fluvanna parents and children are going to have to pay dearly for this mistake. Excuse me, mistakes(s)

How about letting the Teachers and County Employees pay for their own Insurance or at least a portion of it. Why should the Tax Payers be paying for their family coverage? As a rule most Businesses pay for a portion of employees only insurance. Think of the money saved, if the county followed these guidelines.

This year the cost for Fluvanna county employees to carry family coverage is $896/month. This was an increase from $566/ month last year, and for some employees such as bus drivers, aides, or cafeteria workers this is virtually their entire paycheck. This was an attempt to try to meet the budget they were given from the BOS. The $60,000 was from last year's claims because of overruns in medical costs from last school year, which the school system had to pay. Since the plan year just ended in September, these unexpected bills just came in to the county within the past couple of weeks. Compare what Fluvanna school employees are paying for insurance to Albemarle County, which is $269/ month for the "plus option", or Charlottesville which is $544 for their high option plan.

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